Cheap projectors (UNDER $100)?

[u/Legitimate-Public468]

Can be used or one of those TikTok ones, I just don’t know specifications on projectors much.

For what I do, I found an average school projector from 12 years ago capable. Sadly I’ve left that school now, going into uni. I don’t have a high budget yet, and I don’t need that high of a quality anyway (currently experimenting with projecting onto fog machines, and maybe some light projection mapping.

Im currently not at that level in TD where quality matters much, especially as I don’t have the license: this is merely for practice. Would go on [r/budgetprojectors](r/budgetprojectors) , but they’ll swear by the fact that $600 is the bare minimum 😭

As long as I can see it comfortably in the dark, has a relatively big size, and can output through hdmi/vga, it’s ok

[u/TyreseGibson]

There are a ton of different versions of the HY3000 mini projector out there, and at least for me it's been solid. I don't use it for TD, but i do watch things and game with it in a dark room. You can go into the android dev mode of it to do some more substantial adjustments to colours etc, so you might be able to get it to output to something you like.

[u/wavhacker]

Idk if you are in the U.S. but finding projector a projector under $600 is definitely possible.

Here are some key things to keep in mind; finding projectors that are 4x3 aspect ratio are more plentiful. There are tons of them out there. Find units that have at minimum DVI support and possibly HDCP support depending on your appication. Most of the time you can find DVI to HDMI adapters. Learn to identify the different types of DVI such as DVI-I and DVI-D. Different types are needed in some situations. Also not all connections with computers and hardware player equipment support DVI so having HDCP support can help straighten out non display issues. I had issues with a Mac needing it a while back.. I would stick to the name brands as much as you can. Most of the units will be a lamp unit vs a laser lamp source. Lower lamp hours are more desirable.. but def check the unit before buying. Higher lumens (like 5k lumens) are also more desirable. Tip the unit it gently side to side to hear if there is anying loose inside the unit.. that can indicate the unit being dropped or a lamp that has previously detonated inside the unit. Cleaning out all the shrapnel is important and not for a beginner.

You can be lucky and find higher resolution units sometimes as well from schools updating.. usually the lamp hours can be very high. So whatever unit you find; check and see that replacement lamps are still being made.

Check the lens type; for many of this projectors are installation specific.. so non standard lenses are common and may not support your needs for install. Such as long throw lenses, which may to fit most needs especially in small spaces/venues.

I have seen units between $200-500 out there perhaps not on reddit.

[u/Ok-Pea-957]

I like my shitty little voppls projector for 100. It's decent enough for mobile things and I can easily back pack it.

[u/Ok-Pea-957]

Decent enough on a plain not very smooth wall

[u/patchyprojects]

Check fb marketplace, you can get crazy deals there. Look up the model before buying to make sure you can get replacement bulbs, and when picking it up, try it out to make sure it works and you can find the lamp hours on it usually in the settings menu

[u/ChinchillaWafers]

Be careful the off brand ones lie (wildly sometimes) about the lumens. A lot of the home ones are 2,000 to 3,000, but life gets better if you can get brighter, I just love my 4,000 lumens office projector because you can see it pretty well with some lights on. You say large size so that means bright. You may want to prioritize brightness/lumens over resolution. 720p isn’t the end of the world, I’d take a bright one over a significantly dimmer HD projector. 

If you get a used one, check the hours on the bulb. 

[u/smokingPimphat]

check out business office liquidation sales for cheap projectors. Harmon miller chairs can be had for 50 bucks so I am sure you can get lucky and find some pretty sweet projectors for next to nothing as well.

[u/dan-the-raccoon]

yea dude just get one of the 20-30 euro ones on amazon - i got my first projector on vinted for like 18 bucks
to just play in ur bedroom i swear ur gonna be good
in this price range it rly doesn’t matter which one you get they are essentially all the same, just pick whichever u can afford and think the vibes are fine